North Coast of Tenerife: Watercolour with Atmospheric Sea and Sky

Here’s one of my recent watercolours, called North Coast of Tenerife, with a focus on the dramatic sea and sky. I wanted to capture the wild feel of the coastline, where the choppy turquoise waters meet the rocky shore. For the sea, I mixed cobalt blue with a touch of viridian green, which creates those lively, fresh tones. Just a touch of dark neutral tint helped suggest the shadows and rocks on the water.

The sky is quite a feature in this painting. I used a loose wet-in-wet wash with burnt umber and a hint of alizarin crimson to get those moody clouds. There’s some soft yellow ochre too, which warms up parts of the sky and contrasts nicely with the cool sea. I let the colours mingle and move, encouraging happy accidents to give a real, natural atmosphere.

This scene really sums up what I love about painting on location – the combination of sunlight, movement, and the power of nature. I kept the brushwork lively and free, especially around the crashing waves and distant buildings. If you enjoy seascapes, you might see how a limited palette makes the different elements stand out even more. This painting is for sale, so get in touch if you’d like more details.